Chapter 6: Jesus The Story-Teller
Parables show what Jesus wanted to share with us; list of parable activities (p81). OT precedents; grouping to fit teaching; new grouping: 1. What is God's initiative towards us? 2. How should we receive the divine kingdom? 3. How should we live under the divine rule? 4. How should we wait for the end, our own and all things? (p82).
God's Initiative towards Us; Growth and Life (p83)
Overnight growth (Mark 4:26-29); Mustard seed (Mark 4:31-32) (p83). Hen and chickens (Luke 13:34); 1 John 1:1-2; John 1:4) (p84). John 11:25; 14:6; 20:31; Greek two words for life: Zoe (study of animals); bios (living organisms); John and 1 John use Zoe to mean eternal life: tenuous - KC (p85). Dying the way to new life (John 12:24); shepherd (John 10:10-11); John 13; 14; 15; 16; 17, Jesus will act out what he has preached; the small beginning and huge outcome of The Kingdom (p86). "The crucified and risen Jesus himself is the tiny mustard seed that has grown to welcome and shelter the whole world"; the tree in Daniel 4:10-12 contrasts with the shelter of the Cross (p88).
The Hidden Yeast (Matthew 13:33); the Labourers in the vineyard (Matthew 20:1-15) (p88). (Interesting - KC) parallels with Prodigal Son (p89). What matters to Jesus is not "performance" but "... the reckless generosity and exuberant kindness of God" (p90).
Receiving the Kingdom (p90)
Buried treasure (Matthew 13:44) (p90). Fishers of men (Mark 1:17-20) (p91). Apostles following Jesus compared (interestingly - KC) with treasure; The pearl of great price (Matthew 13:45-46) (p93). Wisdom literature (Proverbs 2:1-4; Wisdom 2:1-24; Wisdom 3; Wisdom 4; Wisdom 5; Wisdom 6; Wisdom 7; Wisdom 8:1-21/]); Solomon (Wisdom 8:2; 8:9; 8:16) (p93). The precedence of the Kingdom (Luke 9:59-62); conflict (Matthew 10:34-36) (p95). The dishonest steward (Luke 16:1-13) (p95). Palestinian economics explained (p96). Jesus is saying, don't delay, the stakes are so much higher for you than the decisive, dishonest steward. Settling out of court (Matthew 5:25-26); Jesus says settle quickly out of court (p97). The unforgiving debtor (Matthew 18:23-35); a breathtaking debt and breathtaking divine mercy (p98). WE should recognise God's mercy and behave like Zacchaeus (Luke 19:28). The good Samaritan (Luke 10:29-37) (p99). The unexpected turn to the Samaritan; A member of the Taleban stopping on the road to Kabul to help an injured British soldier (p101). Priest and Levite cannot afford to be unclean; the trust of the innkeeper (p102). In answer to Jesus' question, the lawyer will not name the Samaritan; the personal cost of mercy. Dives and Lazarus (Luke 16:19-31); accepting Jesus' message means actively reaching out; the Samaritan in this world, Dives and Lazarus in the other world (p104). The Samaritan says nothing about his religion (p107).
Waiting for The End (p107)
List of parables: Luke 12:35-38; 12:39-40; Matthew 25:1-13; The rich Fool, Luke 12:16-21 (p107). Failure to acknowledge life and goods are on loan from God (p108). Comparison of 'rich fool' with Dives and Lazarus (p109).